Naval Academy

The men’s golf team is ranked 15th in the nation in the Golf World/Nike Golf Division I Coaches’ Poll. SMU has claimed two victories in three events so far this season, winning the Gopher Invitational and the Adams Cup, leading to their first ranking of the year. The complete results will appear in the Oct. 19, 2009, issue of Golf World and can be viewed online now. Read more.

First-year defensive end Margus Hunt (left) was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 12, 2009. Hunt blocked two field goal attempts in SMU’s 28-21 win over defending C-USA Champion East Carolina, one of which led to a 65-yard touchdown return. It was the first field goal block for a TD by SMU since Oct. 13, 2001. Hunt was also awarded an ESPN Helmet Sticker as he helped the Mustangs to their first 2-0 start in league play since 1986. Read more.

With the 2009 Texas-OU game set for an 11 a.m. kickoff, Red River Rivalry fans will have an opportunity to make Oct. 17 an even bigger day of college football in Dallas. On Saturday, the SMU Athletic Department will offer $10 tickets to the SMU-Navy battle for the Gansz Trophy at 7 p.m. in Ford Stadium to those with a Texas-OU ticket stub or a Saturday (Oct. 17) admission ticket from the State Fair of Texas. As part of its tribute to the armed forces, SMU also offers free game-day admission to anyone with a military ID. The festivities will include a pregame football delivery from the Navy SEALS Leap Frog Jump Team and a flyover by F/A-18 Hornets following the national anthem. Check for tickets online or call the SMU Ticket Office at 214-768-4263 (214-SMU-GAME). Read more.

The SMU and Navy Athletic Departments have announced the creation of the Gansz Trophy (left), a traveling prize that honors the late coaching legend Frank Gansz. The trophy will be awarded to the winner of future SMU-Navy football games; the Mustangs and Midshipmen will battle for the trophy for the first time on Oct. 17 in Dallas.

Gansz, who was considered perhaps the top special teams coach in NFL history, spent time at both SMU and the U.S. Naval Academy. He was starting his second season as special teams coach on the Hilltop when he passed away on April 27, 2009. Gansz played center and linebacker for Navy from 1957 to 1959 and graduated in 1960. He also spent four seasons as a Navy assistant coach (1969-72). Read more.